25: Be Mine
VERENA
My heart beats wildly in my chest as Alpha Carlisle stands beside me. How much did he hear from our conversation?
“I, um, I’m sure anyone would love the soup Ruth made,” I point at the bowl–on the table near me while sweat trickles down my back.
Carlisle looks at the soup with a light frown. “I see.” I hope he buys my lie. His sharp gaze lands on me as he tilts his head. “I thought you two were talking about something else by the look on your faces.
Something more…serious.”
I feel the lump in my throat. Are we that obvious?
Ruth’s voice breaks the awkward tension in the air. “Verena is quite serious when it comes to food. It shows through her good skills that she doesn’t take it lightly.”
Carlisle smiles upon hearing Ruth’s compliment. “I can’t agree more,” he turns to me. “Since she has entered the kitchen, my taste buds have been spoiled in a good way. But what I love the most is the desserts you make. They are out of this world,” he compliments, and his blue eyes swirl with tenderness, making me squirm in my seat.
“I am not that good. Ruth is far more experienced than me,” I reply with a polite smile, hiding my trembling hand.
“Well, that’s true. But Ruth has competition now,” Carlisle throws a wink at her.
“Ah, I would prefer enjoying the desserts she makes instead of
competing with her. You’d make me a dessert, right, Verena?” Ruth asks with a smile.
“I’d love to,” I reply, feeling the atmosphere lighten up. It makes me happy when people enjoy what I make. Elijah used to love my cooking
too.
15
My gaze falls on the table as I recall the day I made his favorite dishes on his birthday. Elijah has always kept a cold, stoic upfront but that day his eyes had lit up with pure surprise when he tasted the matcha tiramisu I made for him.
Flashback
“So what’s your review, Mr. Donovan?” I ask playfully as I watch him take another bite of the tiramisu. “I hope you don’t respond with your
silence this time.”
He usually stays silent while eating, so I don’t expect much from him. But then he surprises me when he replies in his velvety voice, “I like it.”
My heart skips a beat at his words. Elijah rarely praises anyone, so when he says that he likes something, it means that he loves it.
My cheeks heat up, and I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Y–you do? That’s… great to hear,” I stutter, looking away, joy bubbling inside me at his little compliment. He likes it!
Suddenly, his fingers hold my chin, and he gently pulls me closer to him. I gaze at his handsome face with wide eyes, my lungs forgetting how to breathe.
“I’d like to show my gratitude to the beautiful chef,” he whispers sexily, his warm breath fanning my nose. My mind goes into overdrive as I feel his eyes dip to my lips. He tilts his head, his citrusy scent intoxicating me, and I feel his lips capture mine in a slow but passionate kiss.
Flashback Ends
My heart squeezes painfully at the memory. Why do I keep remembering these moments?
“Verena?” Carlisle’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I tilt my head back to look at him.
+15 BONUS
“Yes?”
“You alright? You seemed lost,” he asks, meeting my gaze with a calculative look in his eyes.
I force a smile. “Of course. I am fine.!
He narrows his eyes, a flicker of suspicion darting across his strong features as he scrutinizes me. “Alright.” I look away to avoid his gaze when he says, “Join me for lunch.”
My brows shoot up at his proposal. Despite living under the same roof, I usually eat my lunch alone or with Ruth at times. Carlisle has never asked me this before, so why now?
I open my mouth to refuse him politely, “I-”
“Are you going to reject me on this too?” he tilts his head with a smile that does not reach his eyes, and I blink rapidly. He’s upset. Why wouldn’t he be? I have rejected all of his advances so far, including his proposal to share the same room so that we can bond as mates.
I had no choice since I needed space, and also he’d find out that I am pregnant if we stay in the same room. He took my rejection sportingly, understanding my feelings, but for how long?
“Don’t refuse me on this one, Verena. I’ll be really sad,” he says, and I press my lips into a grim line. I feel guilty for doing this to him.
I smile at him, “Alright.”
His eyes light up, and he leads me to the dining room. In the dining room, a single wall is made entirely of glass, revealing a stunning view of the mountains and green forests. The soft light of the afternoon filters through, casting a gentle glow on the dishes arranged on the table.
“Stunning, isn’t it?” Carlisle asks as I stare at the view with my lips parted.
I hum, “It’s breathtaking.”
3/5
+15 BONUS
The scraping sound of a chair being pulled catches my attention, and I find Carlisle waiting for me. He points at the chair, “Ladies first.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I reply, feeling a little nervous.
His lips curve in a charming smile, the dimples reappearing, “I want to show my mate my best side. Please.” He insists. My body tenses at the word ‘mate‘.
I take the seat he offered with a forced smile, watching him serve the dishes onto my plate. I fidget with my blouse sleeve as he steps dangerously close to me, the scent of lemon hitting my nose.
His eyes meet mine, the air between us buzzing with tension. “You look beautiful today. The white ribbon looks nice on you,” he compliments, his gaze penetrating, causing my heart to skip a beat.
Instinctively, I touch the ribbon tied to my hair, my muscles feeling tense. “Thank you.”
He nods and heads back to his seat. I exhale in relief, feeling my tense muscles relax. Why do I feel so uncomfortable around Carlisle? We are fated mates, he’s my second chance, yet it just doesn’t feel right.
Did Elijah feel the same way about me?
My stomach knots unpleasantly. I feel awful for not being able to reciprocate his feelings for me.
My fist clenches in rage. Why can’t I love Carlisle the way I loved Elijah? What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just move on like Elijah did?
“Is something bothering you?” Carlisle’s voice makes my head jerk up. He sits across from me at the table.
“Uh, no. The food tastes good,” I say, taking a bite of the salad.
There’s an awkward silence in the dimly lit room as Carlisle watches me intently, observing My grip on the fork becomes
y every ove shaky under his sharp scrutiny.
+15 BONUS
“Verena, there’s something I want to ask you,” he breaks the silence.
LE
Sure. Go ahead.”
“Would you like to be mine?” he asks, and the meat gets stuck in my throat.